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A competitive evaluation of Google+

Every once in a while a new technology comes around that takes the spotlight. In that attempt, Google+ has recently been released and has been gaining traction. However, will it become a passing fad that does not go anywhere?

The features of Google+, or G+ as I’ve abbreviated it, are very appealing yet much the same as its major competitor, Facebook. There are differences of course in the future planned areas, such as the video chat that has been advertised. While the core of means of sharing information remains much the same. A big usability advantage is that G+ has “circles,” which makes specialized information distribution significantly easier. There lies a compelling difference between Facebook and G+.

Right now, G+ is steadily growing and has a high utilization rate. I anticipate this is principally due to the early adopters who are tech enthusiasts and love playing with and sharing techie tools and stories.

What Google+ can do to make people switch over from Facebook:

New, engaging features that will distinguish G+

Make the transition easy (port over other social network content like profile information, friends, images, etc.)

Link with specialized social networks (LinkedIn as an example) to span across sites for sharing and/or pulling in information

What G+ can do to retain its new users:

Continue to make the user experience positive (features, updates, etc.)

Balance new services with the user acceptance and adoption (The auto-upload of pictures on my phone is an example that makes me hesitant to install G+ there)

Facebook has rolled out many updates in recent years that were very negatively perceived by its users. What was popular and effective was replaced by convoluted, poor interfaces that confused people and took away what was appreciated. Facebook has adjusted and evolved over time though. However, activity like that will lessen the loyalty a user has to the service. This leads to an opportunity for substitute services, like G+. However, if G+ were to take the same approach of losing touch with its users, then the same loyalty loss may occur.

Time will tell as to whether G+ wins out on the dominant social network service. What are your thoughts how it will turn out?

-Facebook’s recent timeline update-

As I was amid the drafting and editing process for this article, I saw on the news that Facebook was going to roll out a large timeline feature to its site. This was seen as both a means to compete against Google+ and a new feature for Facebook. This would be a compelling advancement for Facebook if users were to involve themselves and take the time to intimately personalize their information. It would be a strong point for people to stay with Facebook if their information and interactions are unique. This also helps if other users are involved, make the connections stronger, and share/connect information together. That network externality could bring immense benefits.

To brand new social network/navigation users though, Google+ will still likely be an easy entrance point if its general sharing and reading functionality continues to be better. Facebook would then become the offering for those that have more time and energy to put into their profiles.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate..